Cruise lines are generally family friendly, and offer amenities that earn the respect of children everywhere - but not all cruises are created equal. From rock-climbing walls to cupcake bakeries to off-boat adventures, here are some of the best itineraries for cruising with kids.
1. Alaska's Inside Passage
What Kids Love: Your reluctant students may complain about school from time to time, but the fact remains that kids are inquisitive; they enjoy learning from someone who's passionate about the topic. Most cruise lines sailing Alaska hire naturalists to give lectures and lead hikes on land and skiff exploration on the water. Special kid-focused itineraries customize the experience for the younger set. Kids come away from their Alaska adventure having seen whales, sea lions, walrus, seals, otters, eagles and other native birds, bears, ans so much more.
What Parents Appreciate: Alaska is ideal for the first-time cruisers. Ships travel along the calm, narrow waters of the Inside Passage and visit places like Juneau, Wrangell, Ketchikan, Tongass National Forest, Tracy Arm, Glacier Bay, and Endicott Arm. You would be hard-pressed to get seasick on one of these voyages.
2. Costa Rica
What Kids Love: Costa Rica offers a plethora of activities that kids love, from swimming and snorkeling (while parents relax on the shores of gorgeous palm-fringed beaches) to exploring the rain forest, to getting close to a real volcano (Masaya). Sailing from port to port also offers amazing whale-watching opportunities, and its not uncommon for kids to see humpback whales breach.
What Parents Appreciate: Costa Rica is ideal for families that want a mix of active adventures(think ziplining or swimming with sea turtles) as well as more sedate activities (like onboard spa treatments and a restful day at sea).
3. Hawaii
What Kids Love: Hawaii enchants kids with its active volcanos, white sandy beaches mixed with gold and black grains, exotic luau-style foods like kaua pig (cooked in an underground pit) and haupia (coconut pudding). Kids who love animals will be on the lookout for the endangered monk seals as well as dolphins and a variety of whales.
What Parents Appreciate: Hawaii is an incredibly romantic place to visit - even when you're got kids in tow. Topical drinks, walks on the beach, and sunset sails will be the highlights of this Hawaiian Islands sampler.
The cruise line of choice in Hawaii is Norwegian Cruise Line. The 2138-passenger Pride of America offers 7-night roundtrip voyages out of Honolulu (Oahu) with call on Kahului in Maui, Kauai, and both Kona and Hilo on the Big Island. Norwegian recently invested $30 million to renovate and refresh Pride of America, so now's a good time to plan a trip to America's paradise.
4. The Ship As The Destination: Disney Cruise Line
What Kids Love: You can't exclude Disney Cruise Line when talking kid-approved cruises. The important thing to know about DCL is that your child will enjoy any voyage. The ports of call will be secondary, in their opinion. What they will love are the encounters with Mickey, Minnie, and all the characters; fun onboard activities like the Sail-Away Celebration on embarkation day and Pirate Night; and amazing pools and "water coasters" (on Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy).
What Parents Appreciate: Parents are fond of Disney's supervised kids clubs so they can be sure their kids will enjoy their time spent meeting new friends in a safe environment. Mom and Dad can make appointments at the spa, dine out at the adults-only Palo restaurant, or enjoy the nightclub while the kids play at the youth club.
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